There Must Be A Mistake Ch. 34

Signed: Even/Jennifer Luck, Stephano/Patricia Valentino, Christian/Callalily Chase, Philip/Celeste Castronova, Dycke/ Payne Schneider, William T. Moses, August/Mildred Ellery...

Tears were running down his face as he read the salutation, and the names signed on the bottom of the plaque. He received many of these tokens during his business career, but none of them meant more to him than this one did.

Jemma handed him a handkerchief. She asked him if he understood why I sent this plaque to him privately, instead of handing it to him publicly at the festivities today.

"I do, because if I would have broken down and cried on the stage today, I would have hunted him down to the ends of the universe and killed him."

"Give me that damn plaque back. I always wanted to go for a trip around the stars, and don't you dare say another word."

"Who me?"

"Yes you, you nasty minded bastard."

"Call that sonofabitch for me please, and hand me the phone."

"The telephone is 3 feet away from you, just as it is for me. Why don't you get up and get it?"

"I've always had you to do it for me."

"What's Lucius's phone number? I may take him up on one of his many offers."

"No you wouldn't. You would have to divorce me first, and lose all that money."

"I never married you for your money, and you know it. I never said anything about a divorce either. Lucius and I will live in sin forever."

"Lucius would not do that to me."

"You're probably right, but shall we test your theory? Or do you want to get your lazy ass off the couch, move 3 feet, and pick up the telephone?"

"I love when you get feisty."

"You love it even more when I get feisty in bed."

*************

"You are damn lucky you didn't give this to me on stage today Even."

"What did I do now William? I tried to escape from my house earlier this morning, only to have it foiled by an extraordinary wife. I'm not allowed to leave here until 10 AM, and I've bitten my fingernails up to my elbows already. What else could I possibly have done today that could have raised the specter of your ire?"

"You sent me a package, with a blue uniform, and a plaque."

"I am going to kill you Jennifer. I was supposed to give him those things on stage today."

"Trying to pass this off on your lovely wife will not extend your life any longer than this afternoon my friend. You are lucky you sent this to my home, otherwise you would've met your sister much earlier than you thought possible."

"I would never do anything to embarrass you William. You are too important to me, to this, and our upcoming projects to make you wish you had kicked my ass before I left."

"I will not buy the State of South Carolina for you, no matter how nice you are to me."

"We already have the land in South Carolina. If you feel like purchasing the land around our land, I would not be opposed to that."

"You are an evil sonofabitch, even on the most important day of your life."

"I told Jennifer last night today is not my day. It's our day. The financiers, the scientists, the engineers, the electricians, and the technicians that put the Good Luck 1 together. Everyone is rooting for her to go to the stars, except those companies who are milking the government trough dry on old technologies. They are the only ones who win, if we fail today. I am wondering, deep in my heart, if they don't have one more dirty trick up their sleeves, to try to kill our project today."

"What has you worried Even?"

"Can you get me the position of the US Home fleet, and if any guided missile cruisers are missing from it?"

"They would never be that bold."

"They've done it once already. Why not give it a second try, after all it is Christmas."

"Merry Christmas Even, you will have everything you need to know within the hour."

"I'm going to miss you William."

"I'm going to miss you too Even, I expect a phone call when you pass Pluto."

"Can I call collect, after all, we did come in $47 billion under budget."

"Hang up you sonofabitch, before I come over there and beat the hell out of you."

"You don't have to yell."

**************

(Singing) "We're getting married this afternoon. Ding dong the bells are going to ring. Don't lose your compass, I made a promise, just get it to the spacecraft on time."

"So help me God, Adam, if you sing that song one more time, I'm going to have to learn how to be a plumber for that spacecraft in a very short period of time. You are going to be dead for two excellent reasons. Those are not the words to the song, and you can't sing worth a shit. If I put you on the talent show, you would not get one vote, especially not from me."

"You're just jealous of my country vocals."

"A cat in heat sings better than you do."

"Are we having our last fight as single people?"

"What did I ask you not to do?"

"You asked me not to put colored clothes in with the white clothes."

"Do you want to walk to our wedding Adam, or do you want to crawl?"

"Walking sounds good."

"Your left arm is still in a sling, would you like your right arm to join it?"

"No, it would make tomorrow morning almost impossible for you, and for me."

"You could dream about it for a very long time."

"I have been dreaming about it for a very long time. I've kept most of my promises, and broken several more. I piss you off on a continuing basis, mostly because you have no sense of humor. Either that, or you don't like my sense of humor. You promised you would try to change. I am going to try to meet you halfway. How far is halfway going to be for us Laura? I love you with all my heart. How do you feel about me?"

"If I didn't love you, more than any man on this planet, I would have been gone a long time ago."

"How about women?"

"You're a dead man Adam, you will never live to see the spacecraft again."

"Do you see what I mean Laura; you have no sense of humor at all."

Laura picked up her cell phone and called George.

"George get your ass in here, before I kill him."

George burst through the front door, and stood between them. He looked at Laura and asked, "What the fuck did you do wrong this time?"

"It wasn't me it was him. He told me how much he loved me, and then he asked me how I felt about him. I told him, if I didn't love him more than any other man on this planet, I would have been gone a long time ago. Do you know what his answer was? Tell him Adam, tell him before I kill you."

"I asked her how she felt about women."

George started laughing uncontrollably, and Laura became incensed.

"How can you possibly take his side?"

"Listen to me your high and mightiness. First you never told him how much you loved him. All you did was compare him to every other man on the planet. Is it so hard for you to say those three little words, I love you?

Then after you make this long incongruous statement about other men, he had every right to ask you the question, 'What about women?' It was a joke, and it was very funny. If you didn't see it that way, you are in big trouble. If you can't say those three little words to Adam, why the fuck are you marrying him? Call it off so I can beat the shit out of you before you leave. They have extra rooms on board the spacecraft; you can live in one, and Adam another. He's not a fucking pony, he's a Clydesdale. He deserves your respect and love. If you're unable to give him what he honestly deserves, break off this relationship now, before children are involved. Don't bother, I know, I'm fired. This was my last day anyhow."

"Am I really that backward in the ways of the world George?"

"After you graduated high school, how many times a week did you leave the ranch? Let me change that, how many times a month did you leave the ranch?"

"Once, maybe twice a month at the most. Everything was delivered to us, and there was never a need for us to go anywhere. I had the best computer in the world in the house, and that's where I spent my time."

"How many friends did you invite over to the house to have fun with?"

"I never had anyone over. I was either working on the computer, swimming, working-out with you, or fighting with my mother. My days were full."

"Shall we go back to your original question now? Am I really that backward in the ways of the world? Would you like to answer the question for yourself, or would you like me to do it for you?"

"The only people I had in my life were Robert and Anna. When they went to college I had no one. That was one of the reasons I wanted to come out here to work with Doctor Luck on the stasis project. Once mom agreed to join me, I knew we were staying at the ranch, because she would never leave it. I'm amazed, and happy she's come this far."

"So what you are saying to me is that your mother has come further than you have."

"It sure looks that way, doesn't it?"

"Your mother asked you three questions when you were locked up on the aircraft. Do you remember the questions, and your answers? If you don't, I can play them for you."

"I'd like to hear them if you don't mind George."

"It would be totally up to Laura, because it was a private conversation with her mother."

"Go ahead George, play it for him."

"Okay, here goes."

Patti asked Laura, "Adam, do you love him enough to marry him?"

"Mom he is a pain in the ass."

"So is your father, and I've been married to him for 25 years. Now answer the question, do you love him and do you want to marry him?"

"I love him with all my heart mom. He just keeps pissing me off."

"Your father and I have a room for that."

"Yes I know mom."

"So there is no problem with Adam?"

"No mom, there is no problem with Adam."

"Do you still want to find out if our stasis devices work? 63 people are betting their lives on what we did. Junie survived one year. Do you think they will work for 10 years or more?"

"That's why I want to go with them. I want to stand..."

"Are you afraid of going into space?"

"No I'm not. For some reason or another I know I belong out there and so do my children..."

"George, I believe I've heard enough. Now everything falls to you Laura. Did you mean what you said to your mother, or were you just telling her what she wanted to hear?"

"I love you Adam, with every fiber of my being. You are going to have to teach me an awful lot while we are together. Don't give up on me, I am usually a very fast learner."

Adam moved in for a kiss, but George beat him to it.

"Now that's the girl I helped raise. When you open your mind to new possibilities you are very fast learner. You will make many mistakes on the way, but don't give up on yourself either. You will be living in a very close knit community. You've never done that before. Everyone will help you along the way, especially the babies. Not only yours, but everyone else's too."

"You're going to make me cry George. You know that's not allowed."

"You could fire me again if you wish."

"Okay, once the spacecraft leaves the ground, both you and our team are fired. On January 3, all of you are to be at my attorney's office at 9 AM, in a suit and tie, for my bequests to all of you. If you are not in a suit and tie, a SWAT team will accompany you to Justice Brothers to have you fitted for a suit. You will wait for it to be completed. It could take all day, it could take two days. You will not leave the store without that suit on your back. Basically George, you will be under house arrest if you're not wearing a suit."

"You're doing this just to piss me off aren't you?"

"When was the last time you wore a suit George?"

"I believe it was your high school graduation."

"I hope it still fits, otherwise you'd better get one this week."

"Why don't we step outside for a little while, I feel like kicking your ass."

"You were 29 years old when you began to care of me George. That makes you 50 years old now. I don't think you could take me."

"There is only one way to find out Ms. Valentino?"

"Yes there is."

"Laura stay where you are, and apologize to him."

"What did you say to me?"

"I told you to stay where you are, and apologize to George for your remarks. He helped raise you. He helped make you what you are, and to show your appreciation for what he did for you, you want to go outside and try to break his neck. I won't allow it. It's not going to happen today or any other day. Act your age, and put your hormones away."

George had a big shit eating grin on his face. Laura's jaw was open so far, it nearly hit the floor. Adam had taken a stand on an issue, and now she had to make a decision. Should she openly defy him, or back down and apologize to her mentor.

After gazing at him for a long while, she relented.

"Yes dear. George, I apologize for my actions and my words. You have been my best friend and teacher for 21 years. I should know better than to take my anger out on you. Please forgive me, and try to forget what I said."

"I'm sorry Laura, were you talking to me? I am getting old, and my hearing aid batteries must need replacing. I didn't hear a word you said."

Laura was livid. She started pounding George on his chest with both hands. All he could do was laugh. She reacted like a girl, instead of a trained fighter. He finally controlled her arms, and kissed her again.

"Didn't I teach you anything at all over these last 20 years?"

"Yes, but Adam told me I was not allowed to hurt you, so I didn't."

Adam was holding onto the wall, laughing, trying not to fall to the floor.

"Why are you laughing at me Adam?"

"You looked like a girl, while you were hitting George, after he goaded you."

"He was joking with me?"

"I don't wear hearing aids Laura."

"Can we get changed, and leave for the NEST now Adam. If anyone else plays a joke on me today, I will not be responsible for my reaction."

Adam pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He whispered into her ear, "Yes you will!"

Laura screamed, and stamped her foot.

Adam raced to their bedroom, and jumped on their bed.

She followed him, with blood in her eyes.

George went outside knowing his job was done.

Laura glared at Adam as he was resting comfortably. He said, "You have two choices, if you lock that door. Its 9:30 AM, we can dress and be at the NEST in 40 minutes. Or we can undress, and I can do your front, and back. If we have any time remaining, I can do your legs and your toes. We don't have to be there until 1 o'clock. Which would you prefer my dear?"

Her eyes softened. "Do you remember when you were having trouble remembering the bottom was the top, and the top was the bottom?"

"Yes, it was on the examination, and I received 100% on that area of the test."

"I believe they made an error in scoring on that particular area of the exam. You are going to be retested...NOW."

"Miss, that portion of the examination takes an extremely long time. Also, we would need to take a shower afterwards, because the work is extremely hands on. The clean-up time could be of an equally long duration. Does this meet with your approval?"

"Sir, I believe you're stalling."

"Miss, you are still fully dressed. The Exam cannot begin with you in that condition."

"I apologize, you are correct. I noticed you were wounded. Given the option, would you like to assist me in disrobing?"

"It would be my honor."

The blouse was easy, but the front closing bra was tricky.

He said, "Fuck this. Using his right arm he lifted the strap holding the sling in place and threw it aside. Moving his left arm slowly and painfully, he used both hands to undo a bra and removed it from Laura's body. While kissing her passionately, his hands were rubbing her breasts. He tweaked her nipples, as he bent down to untie her sneakers, and removed them along with her tiny socks. He shuffled their bodies around, to make sure her body was in contact with the bed. He hooked his fingers inside the waistband of her slacks, and panties. Using his head as a battering ram, he pushed, and made her fall onto the bed. As she was falling, her slacks and panties moved down to her knees.

Laura picked her head up to look at him. "Smooth move Adam, was that on the exam also?"

"No baby, it was something I learned when I was a junior in high school. If the girl was already naked, there was very little she could say about having sex."

"Did you learn that in biology or an engineering class?"

"It was chemistry actually. If you had chemistry with a girl, sex was next on the list. I always used protection, and never disrespected a girl. I never got a girl pregnant, and if she said stop or no, I stopped."

"You had an excellent chemistry teacher. Who was it?"

"Don't laugh, because it's true. It was my mother. My father still is a religious fanatic. Sex is only supposed to be used for procreation. He didn't tell my mother about his views until after they were married, and she was pregnant with me. Once I was born, he didn't want any more children, and sex stopped. My mom got a divorce. The judge nearly laughed him out of the witness chair, when he explained his position. My mother let me read the minutes of the trial, and the judge's disposition of the case. It was hysterical. She received support from him, until I was 18 years old. She had a series of lovers, but never got married just to get even with him. She taught me who, how, when, where, and what about seduction, and sex, using some very explicit texts that came in brown packages. She was an excellent teacher, and I was an excellent student."

"Mother knows best."

"If you give me an hour, I'll prove it to you."

"You have my permission to begin."

He picked up her left foot, separated the little toe, and inserted it into his mouth. His hands worked on the muscles and bones on the bottom of her foot. She quickly felt fluids beginning to build up inside her vagina. It made no sense to her, but she wasn't about to complain. How that toe was connected to her sexual organs was a mystery to her, but as her body temperature continued to rise, and the fluids inside her vagina began dribbling onto her thighs, she was not about to argue with the results.

When he put the next digit into his mouth, his thumbs began massaging the heel of her foot. An electric shock went from the tip of her tiny toe, to her ovaries. She winced in pre-orgasmic pain, raised her hips off the bed, and collapsed down. She moaned, with her eyes closed. When she opened them, she looked at Adam, and he winked at her. She reminded herself that this was just the start of his foreplay, and hoped tomorrow morning would be the fulfillment of both their dreams. She hoped Adam was as good a teacher as his mother was, because he certainly was a retentive student.

*****************

160. The 2nd Fleet

"You are a god damn evil man Even Luck."

"Why, what did I do this time?"

"Would you like to take a guess where the United States 2nd Fleet is?"

"In the water?"

"Even don't make me hit you."

"Okay, so far this morning I've been threatened to be hit by my wife, my daughter-in-law, and now you William. My day is not looking good."

"Why did you ask me to find out the whereabouts of the 2nd Fleet?"

"Oh, is that what we are talking about? I asked you about its position, because I didn't want them to shoot at us, as we pass overhead their position."

"Would you like to take a guess where the US 2nd Fleet is?"

"They are someplace under our 138° climb out direction after takeoff."

"Give that man a prize. The United States 2nd Fleet is 1500 miles northwest of Freetown, Sierra Leone. They are doing flight operations, and live fire exercises, using all new, state of the art anti-submarine, anti-surface, and anti-aircraft missile systems. My friend at the Pentagon said one of the new antiaircraft missiles is capable of reaching altitudes of 140,000 feet. It is designed to take out the new threat capabilities of non-orbital vehicles, such as our Global Hawk."